Segmented float for air compressor



DeclO, 1968 L.. D. WATKINS 3,414,921

SEGMENTED FLOAT FOR AIR COMPRESSOR Filed Feb. 28, 1967 flux, MM 9% {am-United States Patent 3,414,921 SEGMENTED FLOAT FOR AIR COMPRESSOR LuciusD. Watkins, Hartland, Wis., assignor to Outboard Marine Corporation,Waukegan, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 28, 1967, Ser. No.619,406 11 Claims. (Cl. 9--400) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosedherein is a segmented float for floating a diving apparatus comprising acombined engine and air compressor unit. The segmented float comprisesthe assembly of a plurality of spaced buoyant segments which can beformed from an expanded plastic, such as polystyrene or other buoyantmaterial, and which, together, are intended to surround theengine-compressor unit and to provide the necessary buoyancy to floatthe entire unit. The float segments are secured to the engine-compressorunit by a rubber band or belt seated in a circumferential groove in thesegments. The cross section of the segments is larger below the waterline than above. The upper contour of the segments is sloping tofacilitate draping of the air hoses used in such an apparatus.

Cross reference to related application The float of the presentinvention is a further development of the subject matter disclosed inco-pending United States application Ser. No. 516,857 filed by Ronald R.Quiram and Gaylord M. Borst.

Summary of invention In accordance with the invention there is provideda segmented float adapted for floating a device, such as, for example, acombined engine-compressor apparatus which is usable by skin divers andwhich is intended for flotation on the surface of the water above ornear the divers. Heretofore, an inflatable annular tube has been used tofloat such devices. However, such tubes are subject to puncture andleakage which can endanger the divers and result in sinking andconsequent loss of the engine and compressor. The segmented float of theinvention avoids such problems by utilizing a buoyant material such asan expanded plastic having a large number of small air cells. The use ofa number of segments permits compact storage of the individual floatsegments in a stacked manner in a zipper bag or the like. When installedon an enginecompressor, the float segments are spaced to provide gapsfor discharge of engine fumes which could otherwise accumulate beneaththe floatation ring and above the water surface.

Kinking of air supply hoses near the engine-compressor is minimized by asloping upper surface on the float segments.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent by reference to the following description and accompanyingdrawings.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a float which embodies various of thefeatures of the invention and which is shown in supporting relation toan engine-compressor unit.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the segmented float ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a spacer and clamp shown inFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a float segment in accordance with amodified embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description Referring now to the drawings, there is illustratedin FIGURE 1 an engine-compressor unit which is generally designated 10and which is intended for use as an air source for underwater diving.The construction of the engine-compressor unit can be as described inco-pending application Ser. No. 516,857. The invention encompasses afloat 12 consisting of an assembly of segments, each segmentconstituting a fractional portion of the whole, with each segmentconstructed of a buoyant material. Various buoyant materials can be usedsuch as balsa wood, microballoon or polyurethane. In the disclosedconstruction, an expanded plastic, such as polystyrene foam having alarge number of buoyant cells is utilized. Various float configurationsare within the purview of the invention, the choice of the particularconfiguration being largely dictated by the configuration of theassociated device which is to be supported by the float and thearrangement for securing the float to the unit.

In the disclosed construction the float 12 comprises an assembly ofthree individual segments 14 with each segment constituting a fractionalpart of an annulus or toroid. A horizontal plane through a segment 14generally comprises a sector of a circle. When in use the segments arecircumferentially arranged around the engine-compressor unit 10 to formthe generally toroidal or annularly shaped float 12. More than threeindividual segments and other shapes could be utilized to obtain variousof the advantages and features of the invention. With the use of twosegments some of the advantages and features of the invention can beobtained but compact storage of the units in stacked relation in a bagbecomes less advantageous because of the length of each segment.

In accordance with the invention means are provided for securing thefloat segments 14 in a toroidal assembly around the engine-compressorunit 10. Various means can be utilized including means affordingpre-assembly of the segments, with the assembly then being secured tothe engine-compressor unit 10. In the disclosed construction, the meansprovided includes upper and lower arcuate recesses 16 and 18 whichprovide seats for the mounting rings respectively 20 and 22 of theengine-compressor unit 10. Secure engagement of the float segments 14 tothe mounting rings 20 and 22 is afforded by a tongue 23 which is formedbetween the recesses 16 and 18 and which projects between rings 20 and22 when the segments 14 are assembled.

To provide gaps 40 for discharge of engine fumes, the floats whenassembled are separated by spacers 34 carried on one or both rings 20.The spacers also prevent circumferential movement of the segments aroundthe mounting rings 20 and 22. The spacers 34 have an axial slot 35 andare preferably flexible to facilitate installation on the rings, andalso include an annular groove 36 which receives a clamp 38.

To provide a bias maintaining the segments 14 in secure engagement intheir intended position, the spacers 34 are slightly compressed when thesegments 14 are arranged around the engine-compressor unit 10.. Softfeet for supporting the unit on a deck or pier are afforded by thespacers 34 which are mounted on the lower ring 22 and which extendslightly beneath the bottom 42 of the float segments 14.

In the modified embodiment disclosed in FIGURE 5, the gaps for escape ofengine fumes between the segments 14 are provided by integralcircumferential extensions 43 at one end of each float rather than withspacers.

Also included in the means to secure the floats in an assembly aroundthe engine and compressor unit 10 is a belt or band 44 which rides in aperipheral groove 46 and which circumscribes the float 12. The belt 44can be a large rubber band or a belt with adjustable connecting means atthe ends.

To minimize kinking of the air supply hoses when a diver is beneath theengine-compressor unit 10, the float segments are provided with anarcuate sloping upper face 50, thereby providing a rest for the airsupply hoses 51. The float segments 14 have a slightly larger crosssection in the lower portion 52 for increased buoyancy to keep theengine-compressor unit 10 riding above the water surface.

The individual float segments 14 may be left permanently installed onthe engine-compressor unit 10 or they may be stored in a bag or carryingcase in stacked relation and installed when the engine-compressor 10 isused.

Various of the features of the present invention are disclosed in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus comprising an assembly of a compressor and an engineconnected to said compressor for driving said compressor, a floatcomprising a plurality of segments of expanded plastic surrounding saidassembly, and means for releasably assembling and reassembling saidsegments in circumferentially spaced relation to each other around saidassembly to support said assembly on a fluid surface.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means forreleasably assembling said segments to said assembly includes aperipheral groove in each of said segments and a band in said groovecircumscribing said segments.

3. Apparatus comprising the assembly of an air compressor and an engineconnected to said air compressor for driving said compressor, a pair ofspaced members on said assembly, a float constructed of expanded plasticand including an extending tongue portion, and means for securing saidfloat to said members with said tongue portion therebetween to supportsaid assembly on a fluid surface.

4. Apparatus comprising the assembly of an air compressor and an engineconnected to said air compressor for driving said compressor, a pair ofspaced members on said assembly, a float constructed of a plurality ofsegments of expanded plastic, each segment including an extending tongueportion, and means for securing said segments to said members with saidtongue portions therebetween to support said assembly on a fluidsurface.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for securingsaid segments to said members includes a peripheral groove in each ofsaid segments and a band in said groove circumscribing said segments.

6. Apparatus comprising the assembly of an air compressor and an engineconnected to said air compressor for driving said compressor, a pair ofspaced members on said assembly, a float constructed of a plurality ofsegments of expanded plastic, each segment including an extending tongueportion, and means for securing said segments to said members incircumferentially spaced relation to each other and with said tongueportions therebetween to support said assembly on a fluid surface.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for securingsaid segments to said members includes a peripheral groove in each ofsaid segments and a band in said groove circumscribing said segments.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for securingsaid segments in circumferentially spaced relation to each otherincludes circumferentially extending extensions on said segments.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for securingsaid segments in circumferentially spaced relation to each othercomprises spacers carried on said members between said segments.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said band is releasablyconnected to said segments to maintain said segments in securedcondition relative to said members.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said segments have asloping upper surface.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,140,358 5/1915 Cleave 9-3401,764,488 6/1930 Zublin 9-400 X 1,920,371 8/1933 Franke 10387 3,050,7548/1962 Le Blanc 9-340 3,086,472 4/1963 Lorenzetti 103-87 3,261,0427/1966 Baker 9342 FOREIGN PATENTS Journal Water Pollution ControlFederation, Sept. 1966, Welles Aqua-lator.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner:

T. W. BUCKMAN, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 103-87

